Going Bananas Fairtrade Fashion Show: March 8

More than 30 years ago, I visited a World Development Movement meeting and saw a film about the way multi-national companies operate around the world. It prompted me to start a Traidcraft stall at my church in Ruislip Manor.

In Chandler’s Ford, I assisted Louise before and now assist Janet with her Traidcraft stall at St. Boniface Church.

We can often feel helpless when we see such gross inequality between people around the world. Buying Fairtrade goods and campaigning for trade justice are two simple ways we can start to put things right.

Come along to St. Martin in the Wood Church on the 8th of March (Saturday) from 7pm to 9pm, and meet producer Dorothy Agard and enjoy a Fairtrade fashion show, refreshments and browse Fairtrade stalls.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2014

Fairtrade Fortnight this year (24 February – 9 March) has an aim to transform the banana industry, to Make Bananas Fair. Over the past 10 years, the typical price of a banana in the UK has nearly halved, but the cost of production has doubled.

You can read about the Fairtrade Fortnight – Stick With Foncho campaign – to make bananas fair.

Meet Banana Farmer Dorothy Agard

Dorothy Agard from St. Lucia will be talking about the plight of banana producers.

Dorothy is a banana farmer from St. Lucia, one of the Windward Islands located in the Eastern Caribbean. She has been a banana farmer for 10 years and produces 75 cartons (2.4 tonnes) of bananas a week with the help of five full-time workers.

“Amongst the many benefits provided by Fairtrade I’m most thankful for the scholarship program made possible through the social premiums, it has enhanced the lives of many of our children; with Fairtrade our future looks brighter.”

About Hazel Bateman

I have lived in Chandler's Ford since 1987. I collect food donations from St. Boniface and St. Martin in the Wood every week and transport them to Eastleigh Basics Bank. I also carry out other voluntary work for the church as part of my Christian lifestyle.

I work part-time as a self-employed assessor/tutor for dyslexic children. My hobbies include reading, 1000 piece jigsaws and walking in the countryside.

[…] On Chandler’s Ford Today, you can find out more about Fairtrade in our local areas. I would like to add more details to the Fairtrade page, and if you are a Fairtrade supporter, or if you sell Fairtrade products, please let me know and I would add your contacts to the list, so that more people could support you by buying Fairtrade products in Eastleigh borough. […]

[…] Borough Campaign steering committee of any businesses within Eastleigh Borough that you know are selling or serving Fairtrade marked goods or of any local workplaces that you know are using Fairtrade […]